The producers of The Takeover, one of the longest operating and largest African American travel club events, announce plans for the first festival for alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). FABA (For Alumni, By Alumni) Festival will debut in the world’s newest republic, Barbados, June 15-18, 2023.
FABA Fest will celebrate and illuminate the vast cultural wealth and undeniable alumni excellence of HBCUs. This first-of-its-kind destination celebration will bring “the Yard” to the beach, combining the essence of the HBCU experience with the island nation's stunning beauty and rich, African diasporic culture.
HBCU alumni, friends and advocates will descend upon Barbados, Juneteenth weekend, for recreation, relaxation, fellowship and fun(d)raising. This multi-day cultural festival will feature elevated, entertaining and edifying experiences that mirror many of the beloved social rituals of the HBCU experience, while celebrating and manifesting HBCU excellence.
“If you’re an HBCU grad, a spouse, friend or relative of a grad, have been positively impacted by or support the mission of the HBCUs, we invite you to join us in Barbados for what we know will be a beautiful and bold celebration of the culture and Black excellence,” said FABA founder La Chanda Ricks. “There’s nothing quite like the HBCU experience. And there will be nothing quite like this festival.”
To kick off the festivities, University administrators and alumni association leaders will attend an invitation-only, pre-fest Alumni Engagement Leadership Summit for HBCU advancement. Signature events will include a golf tournament, a Bajan polo match and a homecoming-inspired beach tailgate, featuring an oceanside BBQ atmosphere for food and music lovers.
FABA Fest will also include free empowerment sessions for visitors and local residents, featuring informative talks and panel discussions presented by the world’s most prominent HBCU graduates.
As a first in the destination festival space, FABA will shine a light on the cultural significance of the HBCU DJ. The fest will feature an impressive roster of the world’s best HBCU alumni DJs, each bringing his or her own unique sound and style to social events at venues throughout the island. The full festival lineup will be announced in January 2023.
FABA will be a purpose-driven party, with its impact extending beyond the beach. A portion of the proceeds from the event will provide scholarship funds for HBCU students, and the festival’s college fair will serve as a platform for students in Barbados and neighboring islands to learn more about HBCUs. The inaugural event also aims to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Barbados, a culturally-rich island with strong historical ties to the Southern United States.
Eusi Skeete, U.S. director of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., believes Barbados is the ideal backdrop for this festival and as cultures merge, attendees are guaranteed to experience firsthand, all that makes Barbados so special.
“Barbados has played a significant role in the development of the United States, specifically its influence on and genealogy connection to Charleston, South Carolina,” said Skeete. “As more Black Americans seek to trace their history, we are being more intentional about our efforts in telling this rich ancestral story, which is why we are ecstatic about hosting FABA Fest on our beautiful island. The realization of this festival is not a one-off initiative; it’s a continuous area of focus as we build strategic partnerships and welcome travelers to our shores. It is an extension of our continued commitment to sharing Barbados with the black travel community and this has resulted in Barbados being considered a 'home away from home.”
For more information, visit www.fabafest.com, and join the conversation via social @FABAFest.
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